The 10 Most Addictive Substances to Avoid | The Doctor Weighs In

By: Ahmed Howeedy, MD

Opiates are only one of a number of substances that have very high rates of addiction. Here are the 10 most addictive substances that you should avoid.

Photo Sorce: Deposit

Addiction is a crisis that claims more lives each year than car accidents, according to a report by the National Safety Council.

But opiates are only one of a number of addictive substances that have high rates of addiction, a potentially life-threatening medical condition that requires immediate treatment.

Here are the 10 most addictive substances to avoid for the sake of your health:

Also known as “ speed,” amphetamines stimulate the central nervous system (CNS), by triggering the release of the “pleasure neurotransmitter” dopamine. Users experience an intense rush of energy, excitability, and pleasure when the drug activates their brain’s “reward pathway.”

Tolerance builds rapidly, requiring addicts to constantly increase their dosage. And putting themselves at greater risk of psychosis. (At high doses, amphetamines are associated with psychotic episodes.) Commonly used doctor-prescribed amphetamines…